It’s that festive time of year where, for your listening pleasure, we proudly present our FOREVER 5th DIMENSION Top 10 playlist along with an array of exclusive quotes, as we bid you a “Merry 5th-mas!”:
–Here’s our FOREVER 5th DIMENSION production of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.‘s playfully funky “Jingle Bells.” LaMonte McLemore has stated both in his memoir and exclusively to FOREVER 5th, “One of my biggest regrets was that The 5th Dimension never recorded a Christmas album or even one holiday tune.” Producer Bones Howe shared with me, “Perhaps it was an oversight, but the group was so busy on the road and on TV, that when I got them in the studio, the focus was on getting hits.” In this regard, FOREVER tagged “Jingle Bells” with “Joy to the World”…it’s not the Christmas staple but the 3 Dog Night version, from The 5th’s second network TV special, and fits the holiday mood. Join the “jingle bell joy” here: https://youtu.be/R1DHctms7MI?si=JuBz183ei04AxlV2
–Marilyn & Billy deliver a poignant “Silent Night” as part of their appearance on “The Waltons Homecoming.” Sing along with them here: https://youtu.be/gBZUhZl5svk
–Billy & Marilyn featuring Soldiers for the Second Coming bring a swingin’ “It Wouldn’t Be Christmas” as they remind us about “the reason for the season,” at this link. And we thank our friends at Rewound Radio, Metromedia Radio, and Boss-Boss Radio, where FOREVER 5th assisted in getting the tune radio airplay: https://youtu.be/kzAzRNaheYA?si=_P1GzYJpnImoFi7B
—Florence LaRue released a song which holds great meaning to her, the new holiday standard, “Grownup Christmas List” on limited edition CD in the 90’s. Here she passionately delivers it live on West Coast Praze:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cj1g-RkVks
–Marilyn’s recording of “Oh Holy Night” from her WHITE CHRISTMAS album is a major fan favorite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXq_BErKL1Q
–Here’s Florence and The 5th Dimension with an acapella “Winter Wonderland.” Cleverly recorded during the pandemic, it provided much needed uplift and hope to fans: https://youtu.be/j7kY9Tot6eU?si=Lt2IqwYXwPPNeq8c
–Marilyn shared with FOREVER 5th DIMENSION: “This performance of ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy’ with a grand choir in Washington, DC was a cherished moment.” Watch here:
https://youtu.be/S9xNbCT0Cyc
–Marilyn & Bily were thrilled to perform with Jazz legend Mel Torme on his PBS special. With a laugh, Marilyn shared exclusively with FOREVER 5th, “Billy and I wanted to be perfect for Mel and show him what these former members of The 5th Dimension could do with our harmonies!” Billy added, “We practiced at home at the piano beforehand, and we showed him…he loved us…and we loved him!”:
a. “Jingle Bells,” McCoo/Davis/Torme: https://youtu.be/Z-c8QPROsJc
b. “Sleigh Ride,” McCoo/Davis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzg66UYG1ZE
—Dick Clark presents Marilyn & Billy’s soulful Christmas Medley from ’78:
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, now in our 18th year, extends Christmas Cheer, New Year Blessings and a whole lotta love to our favorite stars, Marilyn & Billy, Florence, and LaMonte, and remembering the beloved Ron Townson. And to loyal fans & golden friends the world over, we truly appreciate you.
—Robert-Allan Arno
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd, copyright 2008-2025, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
Holiday Greetings from Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension:
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
You must be logged in to post a comment.